he said

So I went to Chicago without Ashley and Eden. It was quite a bummer since the only reason we decided to attend the ICA conference after a busy first year at LSU was because our friends, John and Maura, were in line to be the newest parents in our group of friends. On April 24, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Maeve Ethna Duckworth, into the world.

I missed Ashley and Eden the minute I got on the first plane (a short jaunt from Jackson to Memphis). There were babies and toddlers everywhere. I suppose that is always the case, but I've never noticed it as much as I did that afternoon.

I missed them again when I arrived in Chicago and got settled in the hotel. When I opened the door and placed my suitcase on the bed, I noticed something in the corner ... a pack-and-play. I told the hotel a few days earlier when I reduced my stay to 2 nights that I would not be needing that accessory. I suppose they did not get that memo. Of course, I left it up ... it was comforting for some reason.

Then, I really missed them. On Saturday night, I got together with the old Purdue gang (minus the Madsens) at John and Maura's house. We ate, we laughed, and of course we called Ashley so that she could listen to Maura open Maeve's gift.

By Sunday I was definitely ready to get back to my girls. But there was one day left of the conference. I struggled through it, and the next morning hopped on the L for the airport at 8:45 headed to O'Hare. The plane ride was uneventful (thankfully), but there sure were lots of kids! My plane landed an hour before Ashley's giving me time to get our rental car ... which is a story in-and-of-itself.

When I caught a glimpse of Ashley and Eden in the baggage claim, they were a sight for sore eyes! We hugged and kissed ... then I got to say hey to Eden :). Then, it was off to show off the car (a bright yellow, two door Chevy Cobalt with a spoiler no less) and get ourselves to Lafayette ...